Systems and methods for polarization separation in remote imaging systems

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capture the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. The system may process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals separately to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system. The PIC may include at least one on-chip polarization rotator for converting a light signal of one polarization state to a light signal of another polarization state.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 17/062,618, filed on Oct. 4, 2020, entitled “Polarization Separationin Remote Imaging Systems”, and incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates to imaging systems. In particular, the inventionrelates to frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) based LIDAR (LightDetection and Ranging) systems.

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in integrated photonics have provided a platform fordesigning imaging systems with improved form factors, low loss, andhigh-speed operation. For example, LIDAR systems with integrated on-chiplasers, photonic components such as waveguides, and electronics arepaving the way for a revolution in autonomous imaging applicationsspanning unmanned vehicles, drones, autonomous robots, and other imagingfields. In particular, FMCW based LIDARs have emerged as a leadingimaging technology that is immune to ambient light interference andprovides several data metrics for each imaging pixel, such as velocity,depth, and polarization information associated with reflected lightbeams.

However, a potential drawback for FMCW based LIDARs may be associatedwith loss of signal capture with increasingly high-speed operation ofthe scanner systems. For example, some micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)scanners include one or more mirror(s) configured to continuously rotatewhile using laser output beams to scan a target field-of-view (FOV).FMCW based LIDAR systems that rely on photonic integrated circuits(PICs) with reduced form factors often have micron sized input facetsfor receiving reflected laser beams. While passive external optics(e.g., lenses) with large apertures may be able to capture a majority ofthe reflected laser beams, these beams need to be routed through thescanner mirror(s) for reaching a corresponding input facet of the PIC.The continuous motion of the mirror(s) can instead direct some of theincoming laser beams away the corresponding input facet, thereby causingloss of return signal capture. This phenomenon, in which a return signalfrom the same FOV as an incident light beam, is directed away from theinput facet of the imaging device, may be referred to as “walk-off” Theloss of photons associated with return signals can degrade theperformance of FMCW LIDARs by limiting scan speeds, range of operation,and reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

FMCW systems incorporating walk-off mitigation may rely on multipleinput facets for capturing signals returning at different time intervalsand at different angles. The multiple input facets can then capture agreater portion of the returning photons that would otherwise have beenlost. For obtaining polarization specific information associated withthese photons, FMCW systems may can include a polarization separatorelement that can split an incoming or return signal into twopolarization components, namely a transverse electric (TE) component anda transverse magnetic (TM) component. This can improve the performanceof FMCW systems by enabling the extraction of information associatedwith both polarization states via polarization sensitive photoniccomponents. The performance improvements include denser point-cloudswith fewer missing pixels, higher SNRs, and target reflectivity specificinformation that can provide information associated with a type of thetarget material.

SUMMARY

This summary is not intended to identify critical or essential featuresof the disclosures herein, but instead merely summarizes certainfeatures and variations thereof. Other details and features will also bedescribed in the sections that follow.

Some of the features described herein relate to a system and device formitigating the walk-off effect. In some embodiments, the imaging device(e.g., LIDAR chip) may include a single output waveguide and a pluralityof input waveguides. The single output waveguide may be configured tocarry an output imaging signal and the plurality of input waveguides maybe configured to couple reflected imaging signals into the imagingdevice. The plurality of input waveguides may be spaced apart based onvarious parameters such as a FOV, fast-axis speed, slow-axis speed,range of operation, wavelength of operation, chirp bandwidth, chirpfrequencies, and/or chirp duration. The spacing between the inputwaveguides may further be based on optics (e.g., collimators, lenses,etc.) used in the imaging system (e.g., LIDAR system) and/or a waveguidecoupling coefficient. In some embodiments, the system may determine awalk-off mitigation parameter based on the various parameters describedabove and/or configurations of the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the imaging device with the plurality of inputwaveguides may be configured to continue receiving returning photonsassociated with a given imaging FOV as the scanning mirror(s) continueto rotate about the fast and slow axis. For example, a first inputwaveguide of the plurality of input waveguides may receive returningphotons from objects closest to the imaging system while a second inputwaveguide of the plurality of input waveguides may receive returningphotons from objects located slightly further away. A third inputwaveguide of the plurality of input waveguides may then receivereturning photons from objects located furthest away from the imagingsystem for a given maximum range of operation of the system. As such,the imaging system can be configured to minimize loss of returningsignals based on maximizing the capture of the returning photons fordifferent orientations of the scanning mirror(s). This can enable theimaging system to scan a target region at higher imaging speeds withoutdegradation of the imaging quality.

In some embodiments, by varying the spacings between each pair of theplurality of input waveguides, a range of operation of the imagingsystem may be extended. For example, by maximizing returning photoncapture for different operating ranges, the imaging system may be ableto detect objects located at a short range and a medium range ofoperation simultaneously. In some instances, a range of operation of theimaging system may be extended while maintaining the same scanningspeeds. This can enable the development of high-performance imagingsystems without increasing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a remote imaging system in accordance with variousembodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 shows an example illustration of a LIDAR chip in accordance withvarious embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows an example illustration of electronics, control andprocessing circuitry interfacing with photonic components of the LIDARchip of FIG. 2 in accordance with various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a plurality of input waveguidesassociated with the LIDAR chip of FIG. 3 in accordance with variousembodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a polarization separator positionedadjacent to an edge of a LIDAR chip in accordance with variousembodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a plurality of input waveguidesfor the LIDAR chip of FIG. 5 in accordance with various embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 7 shows a LIDAR chip with an off-chip birefringent crystal and anon-chip polarization rotator in accordance with various embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 shows polarization separation of a laser signal before couplinginto a LIDAR chip in accordance with various embodiments describedherein.

FIGS. 9A-9B show alternative embodiments for polarization separation ofthe laser input signal in accordance with various embodiments describedherein.

DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drany alternate forms may be embodied, and exampleembodiments should not be construed as limited to example embodimentsset forth herein. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated items. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion,terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computing system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates, and transforms data represented as physical,electronic quantities within the computing system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computing system's memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

In the following description, illustrative embodiments will be describedwith reference to symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in theform of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structurediagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented as programmodules or functional processes including routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types and may be implemented usinghardware in electronic systems (e.g., an imaging and display device).Such existing hardware may include one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), central processing units (CPUs), orthe like.

As disclosed herein, the term “storage medium,” “computer readablestorage medium” or “non-transitory computer readable storage medium” mayrepresent one or more devices for storing data, including read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, magnetic diskstorage memory, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/orother tangible machine readable mediums for storing information. Theterm “computer-readable memory” may include, but is not limited to,portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and variousother mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instructionsand/or data.

Furthermore, example embodiments may be implemented by hardware,software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware descriptionlanguages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software,firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments toperform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine or computerreadable medium. When implemented in software, a processor(s) may beprogrammed to perform the necessary tasks, thereby being transformedinto special purpose processor(s) or computer(s).

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a remote imaging system 100.The imaging system may include an imaging device 101 that can comprise aphotonic integrated circuit (PIC) for generating, transmitting, and/orreceiving light signals. The imaging system can further include amechanism for steering the light signals 106 (e.g., scanning module,micro-electro-mechanical mirrors, arrayed waveguide gratings, opticalphased arrays, etc.), a control unit 104, an analysis unit 110, at leastone display unit 112, interface electronics 102, optics (e.g.,collimators, lenses, etc.), and various other processing elements (e.g.,DSPs, ASICs, CPUs, FPGAs, circuits, memory, etc.). In some embodiments,the imaging system may include one or more communication interfaces suchas graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

The PIC 101 may interface with the electronics 102 and the control unit104 that can include memory, such as the non-transitory computerreadable storage medium described above, in communication with variousprocessing elements (e.g., electrical circuits, microprocessors, DSPs,ASICs, FPGAs, CPUs). Although the electronics are illustrated as asingle component in a single location, the electronics may includemultiple different components that are independent of one another and/orplaced in different locations. Additionally, as noted above, all or aportion of the disclosed electronics may be included on the chipincluding electronics that may be integrated with the chip. Theelectronics may comprise a part of the LIDAR system.

The imaging system 100 may be configured to scan a target region 108based on controlling one or more photonic components of the PIC 101and/or the scanning module 106. For example, the imaging system 100 maygenerate an output imaging signal that is configured to scan the targetregion 108 over a FOV of approximately 10 to 180 degrees and atapproximate scan speeds of 50 Hz up to several kHz for a fast axis and afew Hz to tens of Hz for a slow axis of the scanner module 106.

In some embodiments, the imaging system may be a FMCW LIDAR system andthe PIC may be a LIDAR chip or a portion of a LIDAR chip. The LIDARsystem may generate an output light signal such as a LIDAR output signalthat is frequency modulated over different chirp durations. For example,the frequency of the LIDAR output signal may linearly increase over afirst chirp duration, (t₁) and linearly decrease over a second chirpduration (t₂). This may vary a wavelength of the LIDAR output signalover the different chirp durations. For example, the wavelength of theLIDAR output signal may vary between approximately 1200 nm to 1320 nm,1400 nm to 1590 nm, and 1900 to 2100 nm depending upon the wavelengthrange of operation of the on-chip laser. In some embodiments, one ormore light sources (e.g., laser) may be configured to generate the LIDARoutput signal with a wavelength centered around approximately 1550 nm.The first chirp duration with the linearly increasing outgoing LIDARsignal frequency may be referred to as an up-ramp chirp and the secondchirp duration with the linearly decreasing outgoing LIDAR signalfrequency may be referred to as a down-ramp chirp. The LIDAR system maybe configured to estimate a target range and/or velocity based on atleast one chirp duration.

The control unit 104 may be configured to cause the scanning module 106to control the scanning of different target regions based on steeringthe outgoing LIDAR signal. The target regions can each be associatedwith at least one data cycle and/or each data cycle can be associatedwith one of the target regions. As a result, each LIDAR data result canbe associated with one of the target regions. Different target regionsmay have some overlap or be distinct from one another. For data cyclesthat include two chirp durations, each data point for a target regionmay be associated with two chirp durations. For data cycles that includethree chirp durations, each data point for a target region may beassociated with three chirp durations.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a LIDAR chip incorporating walk-offmitigation by including a multiple input waveguide configuration. Laterarriving LIDAR signals that may be offset from a first input facet 228may still be collected via second input facet 230 that can be positionedaway from the first facet, along a horizontal axis of the chip edge. TheLIDAR chip may include a light source 10 (e.g., laser) and a pluralityof photonic components such as, an output waveguide 16, a first inputwaveguide 219, a second input waveguide 231, the first input facet 228,the second input facet 230, a first reference waveguide 220, a secondreference waveguide 226, a first light-combining component 222, a secondlight-combining component 234, splitters 214, 218 and 224, and aninterferometer 216.

The first input waveguide 219 may be positioned away from the outputwaveguide 212 by a first predetermined distance (D1) and spaced apartfrom the second input waveguide a second predetermined distance (D2). Insome embodiments, the first predetermined distance and/or the secondpredetermined distance may vary between 50 nm up to 10 μm. Variousparameters may affect a selection of D1 and/or D2 including at least oneof the range of operation (e.g., short-range<10 m, mid-range 10 m up to50 m, and long-range>50 m), the wavelength range of operation (e.g.,1200 nm to 1320 nm, 1400 nm to 1590 nm, and 1900 to 2100 nm), the chirpduration, the chirp rate, the scanning module 106 parameters,specifications of the lens and/or collimators used to focus the opticalsignals (e.g., the LIDAR output signal, the first LIDAR input signal,and the second LIDAR input signal) to-and-from the LIDAR chip.

The output waveguide 212 may couple light from the laser 210. Thecoupled laser light may be transmitted to the output facet via theoutput waveguide that terminates the output facet. The laser lightemitted from the output facet may be referred to as the outgoing LIDARsignal or the LIDAR output signal interchangeably. The output facet maybe positioned at an edge of the LIDAR chip. The output facet may bereferred to as a terminating facet associated with the output waveguide212. The LIDAR chip of FIG. 2 may be associated with the LIDAR chipsdescribed in related applications bearing application Ser. Nos.16/931,444, 16/547,522 and 16/726,235, disclosed herein in theirentirety.

In some embodiments, the LIDAR chip may include an amplifier positionedalong the output path of the LIDAR output signal and before the outputfacet. For example, the output waveguide 212 may carry the LIDAR outputsignal to the amplifier and an amplified LIDAR output signal may thenexit the LIDAR chip from the output facet. Electronics 102 may beconfigured to control the amplifier operation and/or control a power ofthe LIDAR output signal. Examples of amplifiers include, but are notlimited to, Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), Erbium-dopedwaveguide amplifiers (EDWAs), and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers(SOAs). In some embodiments, the amplifier may be a discrete componentthat is attached to the chip. The discrete amplifier may be positionedat any location on the LIDAR chip along the path of the LIDAR outputsignal. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the amplifier may befabricated as along with the LIDAR chip as an integrated on-chipcomponent. The LIDAR chip may be fabricated from various substratematerials including, but not limited to, silicon dioxide, indiumphosphide, and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. Examples of splitters214, 218, and 224 include, but are not limited to, y-junctions, opticalcouplers, and MMIs.

In some embodiments, optics, such as lenses, collimator(s), andmirror(s) may be positioned off-chip. The scanning module 106 may thendirect the LIDAR output signal towards a targeted FOV and direct thereturning LIDAR signals associated with the LIDAR output signal back tothe collimating and/or focusing optics. For example, a lens may collectthe returning LIDAR signals and focus the returning signals onto amirror of the scanner. The mirror may then direct the returning signalstowards LIDAR chip. However, due to the perpetual motion of the scannermirror, the returning signals associated with a particular output signalreflection may be directed back to the LIDAR chip at an area that isoffset from the output facet. The output signal and returning signal maynot traverse the same path into and out of the LIDAR chip. For example,the output signal may exit the chip from the output facet and theearliest reflected signal may enter the chip via the first input facet228. A later arriving reflected signal may enter the chip via the secondinput facet 230. Both the input signals, such as the first input signaland the second input signal, correspond to return signals from twodifferent objects that have been scanned during a given measurementchirp duration of the output signal. The measurement duration may be anup-chirp duration or a down-chirp duration.

As an example, a first LIDAR input signal that enters the inputwaveguide 219 may be associated with a first object located closer tothe LIDAR chip than a second object reflecting a second LIDAR inputsignal that enters the input waveguide 231 after a short delay. Thearrival delay between the first LIDAR input signal and the second LIDARinput signal may be proportional to a line-of-sight distance between thefirst object and the second object relative to a location of the LIDARchip. Both input signals may correspond to reflections of the outputsignal during a particular chirp duration and the same FOV. In someinstances, both input signals may correspond to reflections fromdifferent surfaces of the same object.

The input waveguides 219 and 231 may transmit the first and the secondLIDAR input signals to respective light-combining components 222 and 234(e.g., multi-mode interference device (MMI), adiabatic splitter, and/ordirectional coupler) that may be a part of two data branches of theLIDAR chip. In some embodiments, the light-combining components 222 and234 may be MMI devices such as 2×2 MMI device. The functions of theillustrated light-combining components may be performed by more than oneoptical component.

Each data branch may include photonic components that guide and/ormodify the optical LIDAR signals for the LIDAR chip. The photoniccomponents of each data branch may include a splitter (e.g., 218 and224), a reference waveguide (e.g., 220 and 226), the light-combiningcomponent (e.g., 222 and 234), a first detector waveguide (e.g., 236 and246), a second detector waveguide (e.g., 238 and 248), a first lightsensor (e.g., 240 and 250), and a second light sensor (e.g., 242 and252). Elements 254, 256, 258 and 260 may be respectively associated withelectrical signal lines that terminate in bond pads for interfacing withexternal electronics.

Each splitter may transmit a portion of the laser output from the outputwaveguide 212 into the corresponding reference waveguide. For example,the splitter 218 may be positioned sufficiently close to the outputwaveguide 212 to enabling coupling of light from the output waveguide212 into the reference waveguide 220.

The portion of the laser signal transmitted to the reference waveguidesmay be referred to as a reference signal. For example, the firstreference waveguide 220 carries the first reference signal to the firstlight-combining component 222 and the second reference waveguide 226 maycarry the second reference signal to the second light-combiningcomponent 234.

In some embodiments, if the first light-combining component 222 is a 2×2MMI, the first LIDAR input signal and the first reference signal maycouple into the two inputs of the 2×2 MMI via the first input waveguide219 and the first reference waveguide 220 respectively. Similarly, thesecond LIDAR input signal and the second reference signal may coupleinto two inputs of the 2×2 MMI of the second light-combining component234. Each of the two input light signals may then interfere as theytravel along the two arms of the respective MMI resulting in each outputof the MMIs carrying a combined portion of the respective input signals.For example, the output of the first MMI 222 may include a portion ofboth the first LIDAR input signal and the reference signal on the twooutput arms. The output light signal associated with the first arm ofthe MMI 222 may include a portion of the first LIDAR input signal and aportion of the reference signal and the output light signal associatedwith the second arm of the MMI may include a remaining portion of thefirst LIDAR input signal and a remaining portion of the referencesignal.

In some embodiments, there may be a phase shift (e.g, 0 to 7c) betweenoutput light signals of the first arm and the second arm of each of theMMIs. The output light signals associated with the two arms of the firstMMI may be referred to as a first composite signal and a secondcomposite signal, wherein the first and the second composite signalsincluding portions of the first LIDAR input signal and portions of thereference signal. The output light signals associated with the two armsof the second MMI may be referred to as a third composite signal and afourth composite signal, wherein the third and the fourth compositesignals including portions of the second LIDAR input signal and portionsof the second reference signal.

The first composite signal may couple into a first detector waveguide236, the second composite signal may couple into a second detectorwaveguide 238, the third composite signal may couple into a thirddetector waveguide 246 and the fourth composite signal may couple into afourth detector waveguide 248. The first detector waveguide 36 may thentransmit the first composite signal to the first light sensor 240, thesecond detector waveguide 38 may transmit the second composite signal tothe second light sensor 242, the third detector waveguide 246 maytransmit the third composite signal to the third light sensor 250 andthe fourth detector waveguide 248 may transmit the fourth compositesignal to the fourth light sensor 252.

Each light sensor may then convert the corresponding composite opticalsignal into a respective electrical signal. For example, the first lightsensor 240 may then convert the first composite signal into a firstelectrical signal. As another example, the second light sensor 242 mayconvert the second composite signal into a second electrical signal. Assuch, the first light sensor 240 and the second light sensor 242respectively convert the first composite signal and the second compositesignal into photodetector currents that vary in time. Examples of thelight sensors include photodiodes (PDs), and avalanche photodiodes(APDs).

In some embodiments, the light sensor pairs 240 and 242, and 250 and 252may be configured as balanced photodetectors in a series arrangement tocancel out direct current (DC) components associated with theirrespective photocurrents. The balanced photodetector configuration canreduce noise and/or improve detection sensitivities associated with thephotodetectors.

The LIDAR chip can include a control branch 216 for controllingoperation of the laser 10. The control branch may include a directionalcoupler that can couple a portion of the laser output from the outputwaveguide 212 into a control waveguide. The coupled portion of the laseroutput transmitted via the control waveguide can serve as a tappedsignal. In some embodiments, other signal-tapping photonic components,such as y-junctions and/or MMIs, may be used in place of the directionalcoupler.

The control waveguide can carry the tapped laser signal to a controlinterferometer that splits the tapped signal and then re-combinesdifferent portions of the tapped signal that are respectively offset inphase with respect to each other. The control interferometer may be aMach-Zhender interferometer (MZI) comprising two unequal arms alongwhich the split-up portions of the input signal travel beforere-combining (e.g., interfering) towards the end; however, otherinterferometer configurations may be used. The control interferometersignal output may be characterized by an intensity that is largely afunction of the frequency of the tapped laser output. For example, theMZI may output a sinusoidal signal characterized by a fringe pattern.

The sinusoidal signal from the control interferometer can couple into aninterferometer waveguide and can function as an input to a control lightsensor. The control light sensor may convert the sinusoidal light signalinto an electrical signal that can serve as an electrical controlsignal. Changes to the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal will causechanges to the frequency of the control light signal. Accordingly, thefrequency of the electrical control signal output from the control lightsensor is a function of the frequency of the LIDAR output signal. Otherdetection mechanisms can be used in place of the control light sensor.

Electronics 62 can operate one or more components on the chip. Forinstance, the electronics 62 can be in electrical communication with andcontrol operation of the laser 10, the light sensors, and the controllight sensor. Although the electronics 62 are shown off the chip, all ora portion of the electronics can be included on the chip. For instance,the chip can include electrical conductors that connect the first lightsensor 240 in series with the second light sensor 242.

In some embodiments, the electronics may control the chirp frequencyand/or the chirp duration of the LIDAR output signal as describedearlier with respect to FIG. 1 . A measurement duration may correspondto one or more chirp durations. Each measurement duration may bereferred to as a data cycle. LIDAR data can be generated for each(radial distance and/or radial velocity between the LIDAR system and areflecting object) data cycle.

For example, one data cycle may correspond to two chirp durationseffectively encompassing an up-ramp chirp duration and a down-ramp chirpduration. As another example, one data cycle may correspond to threechirp durations effectively encompassing an up-ramp, a down-ramp andanother up-ramp chirp duration.

During each data period, the electronics 62 may tune the chirp frequencyof the LIDAR output signal. As will be described in more detail below,the electronics 62 can employ output from the control branch in order tocontrol the chirp frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal such that thechirp frequency of the LIDAR output signal as a function of time isknown to the electronics. During the first chirp duration, theelectronics 62 may increase the frequency of the LIDAR output signal andduring the second chirp duration the electronics 62 may decrease thefrequency of the LIDAR output signal or vice versa.

When the LIDAR output signal frequency is increased during the firstchirp duration, the signal travels away from the LIDAR chip and anobject positioned in a sample region of a field of view may reflectlight from the LIDAR output signal. At least a portion of the reflectedlight is then returned to the chip via the first LIDAR input signal asdescribed earlier. During the time that the LIDAR output signal and thefirst LIDAR input signal are traveling between the chip and thereflecting object, the frequency of the LIDAR output signal exiting theoutput facet may continue to increase. Since a portion of the outputsignal is tapped as the reference signal, the frequency of the referencesignal continues to increase. As a result, the first LIDAR input signalenters the light-combining component 222 with a lower frequency than thereference signal concurrently entering the light-combining component.Additionally, the further the reflecting object is located from thechip, the more the frequency of the reference signal increases before aLIDAR input signal returns to the chip because the further thereflecting object is located, the greater will be the round-trip delayassociated with the LIDAR imaging signal. Accordingly, the larger thedifference between the frequency of the first LIDAR input signal and thefrequency of the reference signal, the further the reflecting object isfrom the chip. As a result, the difference between the frequency of thefirst LIDAR input signal and the frequency of the reference signal is afunction of the distance between the chip and the reflecting object.

The composite signal may be based on interference between the respectiveLIDAR input signal and the reference signal within the correspondinglight-combining component. For instance, since the 2×2 MMI guides thefirst LIDAR input signal and the first reference signal over two pathsin close proximity to each other, and these signals have differentfrequencies, there is beating between the first LIDAR input signal andthe first reference signal. Accordingly, the composite signal can beassociated with a beat frequency related to the frequency differencebetween the first LIDAR input signal and the first reference signal andthe beat frequency can be used to determine the difference in thefrequency between the first LIDAR input signal and the first referencesignal. A higher beat frequency for the composite signal indicates ahigher differential between the frequencies of the first LIDAR inputsignal and the first reference signal. As a result, the beat frequencyof the data signal is a function of the distance and/or radial velocitybetween the LIDAR system and the reflecting object.

The beat frequencies (f_(LDP)) from two or more data periods or chirpdurations may be combined to generate LIDAR data that may includefrequency domain information, distance and/or radial velocityinformation associated with the reflecting object. For example, a firstbeat frequency that the electronics 62 determine from a first dataperiod (DP₁) can be combined with a second beat frequency that theelectronics determine from a second data period (DP₂) to determine adistance of the reflecting object from the LIDAR system and in someembodiments, a relative velocity between the reflecting object and theLIDAR system.

The following equation can apply during the first data period duringwhich the electronics 62 may linearly increase the frequency of theoutgoing LIDAR signal: f_(ub)=−f_(d)+ατ, where f_(ub) is the beatfrequency, and fa represents the Doppler shift (f_(d)=2vf_(c)/c), wheref_(c) represents the optical frequency (f_(o)), c represents the speedof light, v is the radial velocity between the reflecting object and theLIDAR system where the direction from the reflecting object toward thechip is assumed to be the positive direction. The following equation canapply during the second data period where electronics linearly decreasethe frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal: f_(ab)−f_(d)−ατ, wheref_(db) is the beat frequency. In these two equations, f_(d) and τ areunknowns. The electronics 62 can solve these two equations for the twounknowns. The radial velocity for the reflecting object with the sampledregion can then be determined from the Doppler shift(v=c*f_(d)/(2f_(c))) and the separation distance between the reflectingobject in that sampled region and the LIDAR chip can be determined fromc*f_(d)/2.

In instances where the radial velocity between the LIDAR chip and thereflecting object is zero or very small, the contribution of the Dopplereffect to the beat frequency is essentially zero. In these instances,the Doppler effect may not make a substantial contribution to the beatfrequency and the electronics 62 may use the first data period todetermine the distance between the chip and the reflecting object.

During operation, the electronics 62 can adjust the frequency of theoutgoing LIDAR signal in response to the electrical control signaloutput from the control light sensor. As noted above, the magnitude ofthe electrical control signal output from the control light sensor is afunction of the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal. Accordingly, theelectronics 62 can adjust the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal inresponse to the magnitude of the control. For instance, while changingthe frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal during a data period, theelectronics 62 can have a range of preset values for the electricalcontrol signal magnitude as a function of time. At multiple differenttimes during a data period, the electronics 62 can compare theelectrical control signal magnitude to the range of preset valuesassociated with the current time in the sample. If the electricalcontrol signal magnitude indicates that the frequency of the outgoingLIDAR signal is outside the associated range of electrical controlsignal magnitudes, the electronics 62 can operate the laser 10 so as tochange the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal so it falls within theassociated range. If the electrical control signal magnitude indicatesthat the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal is within the associatedrange of electrical control signal magnitudes, the electronics 62 do notchange the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal.

By implementing the multiple input waveguide configuration associatedwith a single outgoing LIDAR signal, the imaging system may achieve highscan rates (e.g., upto 10 kHz) without suffering from losses in thereturn signal. Moreover, the system may maintain a high scan resolutionat the high scan rates over an extended range of operation due toincreased efficiency of photon collection associated with photonsreturning at a later time from further away. For example, the system maymaintain the high scan resolution at scan rates of approximately 100 Hzfor a maximum range of operation of 300 m and a minimum range ofoperation of at least 20 m with walk-off mitigation instead of beinglimited to a maximum range of operation of approximately 80 m withoutany walk-off mitigation. The FOV associated with the system may varybetween approximately 10 degrees to 180 degrees.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the LIDAR chip of FIG. 2 incommunication with additional electronic, control, and/or processingcircuitry. For example, the light combining component 222 (e.g., 2×2MMI) of FIG. 2 may interface with a transducer element, such as thebalanced photodetector (BPD) 302, and/or a transimpedance amplifier(TIA) 304 that is electrically connected to an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 306 and the control unit 104. As another example, thelight combining component 234 may interface with a BPD 308, and/or TIA310 that is electrically connected to an ADC 312. The output of the ADC312 may be transmitted to the control unit 104.

The TIAs 304 and 310 may be configured to convert the time varyingphotocurrent output of the corresponding BPD arrangement into a timevarying voltage signal or beat signal that has the beat frequency asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2 . According to someembodiments, the beat signal may be largely sinusoidal and may be afunction of at least the relative velocity between the LIDAR chip andthe reflecting object. For example, if the LIDAR chip and the reflectingobject are moving towards each other, the beat signal may increase infrequency and vice-versa. The beat signal can then serve as an input tothe corresponding ADCs that sample the respective beat signal based on apredetermined sampling frequency to generate a sampled or quantized beatsignal output. The predetermined sampling frequency may be based on amaximum range of operation of the LIDAR system. In some instances, thepredetermined sampling frequency may be based on the maximum range ofoperation of the LIDAR system and a maximum relative velocity betweenthe scanned target and the LIDAR chip. In some embodiments, the samplingfrequency may vary between 100 MHz and 400 MHz. The sampled beat signaloutput of the ADCs may be electrically connected to the control unit 104for estimating the beat frequency.

The BPDs may comprise the light sensors 240 and 242, and the lightsensors 250 and 252 arranged in series as shown in FIG. 2 . The TIAs 304and 310 may be included on the LIDAR chip or separate from the LIDARchip. The ADCs 306 and 312 may be a discrete component or part ofadditional processing elements that may comprise a part of the controlunit 104. In alternative embodiments, the 2×2MMI 222 may be replaced bya 2×1MMI as described above with respect to FIG. 2 . The control unit104 may include one or more DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, CPUs, or the like. Insome instances, the up-chirp and the down-chirp durations may bedifferent and the corresponding measurement periods may be different.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the output waveguide 212, thefirst input waveguide 219 and the second input waveguide 231 spacedapart with varying gaps as described earlier with respect to FIGS. 2 and3 . The cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 may be associated withcross-sections of FIG. 2 as shown along the dotted line 270. Eachwaveguide may be characterized by a respective height (e.g., h1, h2, andh3) and a respective width (e.g., w1, w2, and w3), wherein therespective height may vary between 200 nm and 5 μm and the respectivewidth may vary between 200 nm and 5 μm. In some embodiments, the firstinput waveguide 219 may be positioned at the predetermined distance D1away from the output waveguide 212. The second input waveguide 231 maybe positioned at the predetermined distance D2 away from the inputwaveguide 219 and a total distance of (D1+D2+w2) away from the outputwaveguide 212. In some embodiments, D1 may approximately equal D2. Thespacing between the output waveguide 212 and a closest input waveguidemay vary between approximately 50 nm and 10 μm. The spacing between theinput waveguides (e.g., the first input waveguide and the second inputwaveguide) may vary between approximately 50 nm and 10 μm.

FIG. 5 shows polarization separation of incoming LIDAR signals for aLIDAR system. A birefringent crystal that splits a randomly polarizedoptical signal into a transverse electric (TE) component and atransverse magnetic (TM) component may be used for polarizationseparation purposes. The birefringent crystal may be positioned betweenthe scanning module and the LIDAR chip along the propagation path of thereturning LIDAR signals. In some embodiments, the birefringent crystalmay be positioned adjacent to the light emitting and collecting edge ofthe LIDAR chip as shown in FIG. 5 .

The birefringent crystal may then split the incoming LIDAR signal intotwo constituent signals namely a TE-only component and a TM-onlycomponent. The two constituent signals may then exit the crystal at twodifferent angles and/or exit points. For the LIDAR chip configuration ofFIGS. 2 and 3 that incorporate walk-off mitigation, the birefringentcrystal may provide polarization separation for both the first LIDARinput signal and the second LIDAR input signal. For example, the secondLIDAR input signal may arrive after the first LIDAR input signal due toreflection off an object located further away from the LIDAR chip. Dueto continuous mechanical rotation of the one or more mirrors of thescanning module, the second LIDAR input signal may be incident on thebirefringent crystal at a different position and/or angle from that ofthe first LIDAR input signal. The birefringent crystal may then splitthe first and the second LIDAR input signals into their constituentpolarization components and emit the polarization components atdifferent angles and/or from different exits points. For example, thebirefringent crystal may split the first LIDAR input signal into aTE-polarized signal and a TM-polarized signal. Each of these signals maythen exit the birefringent crystal from two different positions and/orwith corresponding refracting angles.

The separation between the TE-polarized and the TM-polarized signals forthe first LIDAR signal, upon exiting the crystal, may be S1. Theseparation S1 may depend upon the dimensions and/or birefringentproperties of the crystal and in some instances vary between a fewmicrons up to 200 For example, the greater the length, L, of thecrystal, the greater may be the separation S1. In some embodiments, thelength of the crystal may be less than approximately 2 mm. The length ofthe crystal may be determined based on a desired value of S1 and varybetween tens of microns and 2 mm.

Since the second LIDAR input signal arrives after the first LIDAR inputsignal, the scanner rotation may cause the second LIDAR input signal tobe incident on the birefringent crystal at a different angle and/orposition depending upon the optics and a direction of rotation of thescanner mirror. The second LIDAR input may then further split into acorresponding TE-polarized component and a TM-polarized component thatexit the birefringent crystal from unique positions and/or angles. Theseparation between the TE-polarized and the TM-polarized signals for thesecond LIDAR signal, upon exiting the crystal, may be S2. The separationS2 may be less than 200 μm and be dependent upon the dimensions and/orbirefringent properties of the crystal.

Each of the polarization components of the input signals may couple intothe LIDAR chip from respective facets (e.g., 502, 504, 506 and 508) atthe edge of the LIDAR chip. Each facet may then connect to a respectiveinput waveguide, such as input waveguides 510, 512, 514 and 516. Forexample, a LIDAR chip with four input waveguides, wherein two inputwaveguides are associated with the first LIDAR input signal and theremaining two input waveguides are associated with the second LIDARinput signal can be configured to receive four optical signals that areeach associated with a specific polarization state (e.g., TE and TM) ofthe first LIDAR input signal and the second LIDAR input signal.

LIDAR systems that include birefringent crystals may not need an on-chippolarization separator. Instead, the LIDAR chip may include apolarization rotator, on-chip, along the path of a polarized componentof the input signal as described later with respect to FIG. 7 .

While FIG. 5 shows a LIDAR chip with four input waveguides correspondingto two LIDAR input signals, the LIDAR chip can be configured to receivemultiple LIDAR input signals via multiple input waveguides that arespaced apart depending upon the walk-off mitigation factor and/or anangle of deviation, θ, associated with each polarization component ofeach of the input signals upon passing through the birefringent crystal.

Processing of the input signals transmitted via each of the four inputwaveguides may be similar to that described earlier with respect toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . However, due to the two polarized states of the LIDARinput signals, the LIDAR chip may include polarization separation of thelaser input signal in order to generate a corresponding reference signalof a same polarization state as that of the input LIDAR signal. Furtherdetails of the polarization separation of the laser signal are providedwith respect to FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B. This can enable the LIDAR chip togenerate beat signals that respectively correspond to the TE and TMpolarized components of each of the LIDAR input signals.

The LIDAR chip may include various photonic components as describedearlier beyond the dotted line 570. For example, multiple lightcombining components, reference waveguides, splitters, light sensors,detector waveguides and BPDs (not shown) may enable processing of eachof the optical signals. Each of the light sensors may function asoptical to electrical transducers and generate a correspondingelectrical signal output that can couple to a corresponding TIA asdescribed earlier with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . The electricalsignal outputs may be carried via corresponding electrical signal linesto respective TIAs. In some embodiments, the TIAs and/or additional ADCsthat connect to each of the TIAs may be located on the LIDAR chipwhereas in alternative embodiments, the TIAs and/or the additional ADCsmay be located on a separate mounting assembly and the electrical signallines may terminate near an edge of the LIDAR chip at a plurality ofwire bond pads.

The above configurations result in the LIDAR data for a single sampleregion in the FOV being generated from multiple different electricalsignals associated with the same sample region. In some instances,determining the LIDAR data for the sample region includes theelectronics combining the LIDAR data from different electrical signals.Combining the LIDAR data can include taking an average, median, or modeof corresponding LIDAR data generated from each of the differentelectrical signals generated by the light sensors, TIAs and/or ADCs.

In some embodiments, the LIDAR data for a sample region may bedetermined based on the electronics selecting and/or processing oneelectrical signal out of a plurality of electrical signals that may berepresentative of the LIDAR data associated with the scanned sampleregion. The electronics can then use the LIDAR data from the selectedelectrical signal as the representative LIDAR data to be used foradditional processing. The selected electrical signal may be chosenbased on satisfying a predetermined SNR, a predetermined amplitudethreshold, or a dynamically determined threshold level. For example, theelectronics may select the representative electrical signal based on therepresentative electrical signal having a larger amplitude than otherelectrical signals associated with the same sample region.

In some embodiments, the electronics may combine LIDAR data associatedwith multiple electrical signals for the same sample region. Forexample, the processing system may perform a FT on each of the compositesignals and add the resulting FT spectra to generate combined frequencydomain data for the corresponding sample region. In another example, thesystem may analyze each of the composite signals for determiningrespective SNRs and discard the composite signals associated with SNRsthat fall below a certain predetermined SNR. The system may then performa FT on the remaining composite signals and combine the correspondingfrequency domain data after the FT. In some embodiments, if the SNR foreach of the composite signals for a certain sample region falls belowthe predetermined SNR value, the system may discard the associatedcomposite signals.

In some instances, the system may combine the FT spectra associated withdifferent polarization states (e.g., TE and TM), and as a result,different electrical signals, of a same LIDAR input signal. This may bereferred to as a polarization combining approach. In some otherinstances, the system may compare the FT spectra associated with thedifferent polarization states of the same return LIDAR signal and mayselect the FT spectra with the highest SNR. This may be referred to as apolarization diversity-based approach.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of themultiple input waveguides (e.g., 510, 512, 514 and 516) and the outputwaveguide 212. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 may be associated witha cross-section shown along the dotted line 570 of FIG. 5 . Eachwaveguide may be characterized by a respective height (e.g., h1, h2, h3,h4, and h5) and a respective width (e.g., w1, w2, w3, w4, and w5),wherein the respective height may vary between 200 nm and 5 μm and therespective width may vary between 200 nm and 5 μm. The output waveguide212, the first input waveguide 510, the second input waveguide 512, thethird input waveguide 514, and the fourth input waveguide 516 may bespaced apart with varying gaps. For example, the first input waveguide510 may be positioned at a distance D3 away from the output waveguide212. The second input waveguide 512 may be positioned at a distance S1away from the input waveguide 510 and a total distance of (S1+D3+w2)away from the output waveguide 212. The third input waveguide 514 may bepositioned at distance (S1+D3+w2+D4) away from the output waveguide 212and the fourth input waveguide 516 may be positioned at distance S2 awayfrom the input waveguide 3 and a total distance of (S1+D3+w2+D4+w4) awayfrom the output waveguide 212.

In some embodiments, D3 may approximately equal D4 and S1 mayapproximately equal S2. As described earlier with respect to FIGS. 4 and5 , the spacing between the output waveguide 212 and a closest inputwaveguide may vary between approximately 50 nm and 10 μm. The spacingbetween the first and the third input waveguides may vary betweenapproximately 600 nm and 250 μm.

As described earlier with respect to FIG. 4 , determination of each ofthe predetermined distances (D1, D2, D3, and D4) may be based on thewalk-off mitigation parameter. As described earlier, the walk-offmitigation parameter may be based on various parameters such as the FOV,the fast-axis speed, the slow-axis speed, the range of operation, thewavelength of operation, the chirp bandwidth, the chirp frequencies,and/or the chirp duration. The walk-off mitigation parameter may furtherbe based on the optics (e.g., collimators, lenses, etc.) used in theimaging system (e.g., LIDAR system) and/or the waveguide couplingcoefficient.

Although the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 show a two-input anda four-input waveguide configuration, the LIDAR system may comprise ofany number of input waveguides for achieving polarization separation andimproving an efficiency of collecting later arriving photons reflectedfrom objects located further away and/or offset away from a first inputfacet located closest to the output waveguide facet due to fast rotationof the one or more mirrors of the scanning module 106.

FIG. 7 shows a LIDAR chip 710 with an off-chip birefringent crystal 720and an on-chip polarization rotator (PR) 702 along a propagation path ofa LIDAR input signal. For example, the PR 702 may be introduced alongthe propagation path of the TM-polarized component of the first LIDARinput signal associated with FIGS. 5 and 6 . The PR 702 may beconfigured to convert the TM-polarized signal into a TE-polarizedsignal. For example, if the TM-polarized component of the first LIDARinput signal is coupled into the LIDAR chip via the second facet 504 andthe second input waveguide 512, the PR 702 may be included along thepath of the second input waveguide 512. In some instances, an on-chippolarizer (not shown) may be included along with the PR. For example,the output of the PR 702 may couple into the polarizer to filter-out anyremaining TM-polarized portion of the signal coupled out from the PR702.

Each TE-polarized component may propagate along waveguides 703 and 704.The PIC of FIG. 7 shown beyond the dotted line 710 may include variousphotonic and/or electric components similar to those described earlierwith respect to FIGS. 1-6 . For example, the PIC may include lightcombining components, waveguides, detectors, and BPDs for generatingelectrical data signals containing information related to the distanceand/or velocity of imaged target(s).

Examples of polarization rotators include, but are not limited to,mechanically rotated polarization-maintaining fibers, Faraday rotators,half-wave plates, MEMs-based polarization rotators, and integratedoptical polarization rotators using asymmetric y-branches, Mach-Zehnderinterferometers and multi-mode interference couplers.

FIG. 8 shows polarization separation of the laser signal before couplinginto the LIDAR chip. The system can include a laser 810, focusing and/orcollimating optics 811 that may include a polarization rotator (PR), anda birefringent crystal 812. For example, the laser 810 may generateTE-polarized light that emerges with a TE-polarized component and aTM-polarized component after passing through the optics 811. This isbecause the PR adds a TM-polarized component to the TE-polarized lightof the laser. The birefringent crystal 812 may separate the light fromthe PR into TE and TM-polarized light that can be incident onto twodifferent facets of the LIDAR chip. Each of the facets may allow thelaser signal to couple into waveguides of the LIDAR chip. For example,the TE-polarized component of the laser signal may couple into waveguide813 and the TM-polarized component of the laser signal may couple intowaveguide 815 of the LIDAR chip. Each waveguide may be characterized bya respective height and a respective width, wherein the respectiveheight may vary between 200 nm and 5 μm and the respective width mayvary between 200 nm and 5 μm.

The TE-polarized component may be emitted from the facet 814 of theLIDAR chip as the LIDAR output signal. A portion of the TE-polarizedcomponent may be tapped into by a directional coupler 816 that couplesthe portion of the TE-polarized light as a reference signal forcomparison with a corresponding TE-polarized LIDAR input signal coupledvia waveguide 818. The waveguides 813 and 818 may be separated by adistance D5 for walk-off mitigation purposes as described earlier withrespect to FIGS. 5-7 . D5 may vary between 50 nm up to 10 Variousparameters may affect a selection of D5 including at least one of therange of operation (e.g., short-range<10 m, mid-range 10 m up to 50 m,and long-range>50 m), the wavelength range of operation (e.g., 1200 nmto 1320 nm, 1400 nm to 1590 nm, and 1900 to 2100 nm), the chirpduration, the chirp rate, the scanning module 106 parameters,specifications of the lens and/or collimators used to focus the opticalsignals (e.g., the LIDAR output signal and the LIDAR input signals)to-and-from the LIDAR chip.

The TM-polarized component of the laser signal may couple into waveguide815 and function as a reference signal for comparison with acorresponding TM-polarized LIDAR input signal coupled via waveguide 819.As described earlier with respect to FIG. 5 , the first LIDAR inputsignal may be split into TE and TM polarized signals based on anoff-chip birefringent crystal. The TE and TM polarized components of thefirst LIDAR input signal may be incident onto the LIDAR chip at facets820 and 821 or vice-versa. Each facet may be configured to couple theincident signal into its respective waveguide. For example, facet 820may be configured to couple the TE-polarized component of the firstLIDAR input signal into waveguide 818. As another example, facet 821 maybe configured to couple the TM-polarized component of the first LIDARinput signal into waveguide 819. The waveguide 819 may be positioned ata distance S3 away from the waveguide 818. The separation S3 may varybetween a few microns to 200 μm and be dependent upon the dimensionsand/or birefringent properties of the crystal positioned near the lightemitting and/or collecting edge of the LIDAR chip.

Each of these signals may then be guided via the respective waveguidesinto light combining components for comparisons with their respectivereference signals of the same polarization state. For example, lightcombining components 822 and 825 may be configured to generate beatsignals that respectively correspond to the TE-polarized state and theTM-polarized state. The detector waveguides 823, 824, 826 and 827 may besimilar to the detector waveguides described earlier with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3 . The light sensor pairs 828 and 829, and 830 and 831 maybe similar to those described earlier with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 .The light sensor pairs may be arrange in the BPD configuration of FIGS.2 and 3 . The electrical signals from each of the light sensors may betransmitted via electrical signals (e.g., 832, 833, 834 and 835) torespective bond pads for interfacing with off-chip electronics, such asTIAs and/or ADCs.

In an alternate embodiment, the TM-polarized component may couple intothe waveguide 813 while the TE-polarized component may couple into thewaveguide 815. In this case, the LIDAR output signal exiting from facet814, of the waveguide 813, will be primarily TM-polarized. The waveguide818 may then receive the TM-polarized component of the first LIDAR inputsignal via facet 820. The waveguide 819 may receive the TE-polarizedcomponent of the first LIDAR input signal via facet 821. The TM and TEpolarized components of the first LIDAR input signal may then undergofurther processing with their respective reference signals via thecorresponding light-combining components 822 and 825.

The LIDAR chip of FIG. 8 may include a control branch (not shown) thatis configured to operate similarly to the control branch described withrespect to FIG. 2 . For example, the control branch may control anoperation of the laser 810. The control branch may include a directionalcoupler that can couple a portion of the laser output from the waveguide813 into a control waveguide. The coupled portion of the laser outputtransmitted via the control waveguide can serve as a tapped signal. Insome embodiments, other signal-tapping photonic components, such asy-junctions and/or MMIs, may be used in place of the directionalcoupler.

The control waveguide can carry the tapped laser signal to a controlinterferometer that splits the tapped signal and then re-combinesdifferent portions of the tapped signal that are respectively offset inphase with respect to each other. The control interferometer may be aMach-Zhender interferometer (MZI) comprising two unequal arms alongwhich the split-up portions of the input signal travel beforere-combining (e.g., interfering) towards the end; however, otherinterferometer configurations may be used. The control interferometersignal output may be characterized by an intensity that is largely afunction of the frequency of the tapped laser output. For example, theMZI may output a sinusoidal signal characterized by a fringe pattern.

The sinusoidal signal from the control interferometer can couple into aninterferometer waveguide and can function as an input to a control lightsensor. The control light sensor may convert the sinusoidal light signalinto an electrical signal that can serve as an electrical controlsignal. Changes to the frequency of the outgoing LIDAR signal will causechanges to the frequency of the control light signal. Accordingly, thefrequency of the electrical control signal output from the control lightsensor is a function of the frequency of the LIDAR output signal. Otherdetection mechanisms can be used in place of the control light sensor.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show alternative embodiments for polarization separationof the laser input signal. FIG. 9A shows a laser 910, optics 911 and abirefringent crystal 912. Generally, lasers are configured to emit TEpolarized wavelengths. As such, the laser 910 may be configured to emitTE-only polarized light. A plane of emission of the laser 910 is shownto lie in the x-y plane and the direction of laser emission isperpendicular to the plane of emission along the z-direction. Byintroducing a rotation in the laser 910 about the direction of emissionand in the x-y plane, an additional polarization component may beintroduced in the laser signal being coupled into the LIDAR chip. Forexample, by rotating the laser 910 about the z-axis, a TM-polarizedcomponent can be introduced in the laser signal. This may eliminate theneed for a separate PR. The optics 911 may include lenses andisolator(s) for preventing back reflections into the laser cavity,collimating and/or focusing the laser signal. The birefringent crystal912 may provide polarization separation of the TE and TM components ofthe laser signal as described earlier with respect to FIG. 8 . Thus, byrelying on a rotation of the laser about its emission axis, thepolarization separation arrangement of FIG. 9A avoids the use of the PR.

FIG. 9B shows an alternative embodiment for achieving polarizationseparation of a laser signal. The arrangement may include a laser 913,optics 914, a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 915, mirror 916, andlenses 917 and 918. The laser 913 may be rotated about the emission axis(e.g., z-axis) as described with respect to FIG. 9A. The laser emissionmay then include a TE and a TM polarized component due to the offsets inthe planes of oscillation of the TE and TM electromagnetic waves withrespect to the alignment axis of the optics and the PBS. The optics 914may include an isolator and at least one lens. The laser signal may bedirected towards the PBS 915 that performs polarization separation ofthe TE and TM-polarized components of the laser signal. Mirror 916 maydirect the TM-polarized component of the laser signal towards lens 917for focusing onto a facet of the LIDAR chip. The TE-polarized componentof the laser signal may be focused onto a different facet of the LIDARchip via lens 918. For example, the TE and TM-polarized components maybe focused onto facets coupled with waveguides 813 and 815,respectively, of the LIDAR chip of FIG. 8 .

Although the imaging system is disclosed in the context of a LIDARsystem, embodiments disclosed herein can be used in other applicationssuch as machine vision, face recognition and spectrometry.

The above-described example embodiments may be recorded innon-transitory computer-readable media including program instructions toimplement various operations embodied by a processing system. The mediamay also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions,data files, data structures, and the like. The program instructionsrecorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructedfor the purposes of example embodiments, or they may be of the kindwell-known and available to those having skill in the computer softwarearts. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media includemagnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape;optical media such as CD ROM discs and DVDs; magneto-optical media suchas optical discs; and hardware devices that are specially configured tostore and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Thenon-transitory computer readable media may also be a distributednetwork, so that the program instructions are stored and executed in adistributed fashion. The program instructions may be executed by one ormore processors or computational elements. The non-transitory computerreadable media may also be embodied in at least one application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), whichexecutes (processes like a processor) program instructions. Examples ofprogram instructions include both machine code, such as produced by acompiler, and files containing higher level code that may be configuredto act as one or more software modules in order to perform theoperations of the above-described example embodiments, or vice versa.

Although example embodiments have been shown and described, it would beappreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made inthese example embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claimsand their equivalents.

1. An electro-optical system for polarization separation, the systemcomprising: a birefringent crystal configured to: receive at least oneinput signal; and generate, based on the at least one input signal, afirst polarized portion and a second polarized portion of the at leastone input signal; and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) configured to:receive, from the birefringent crystal and via a first input waveguide,the first polarized portion of the at least one input signal; andreceive, from the birefringent crystal and via a second input waveguide,the second polarized portion of the at least one input signal, andwherein a separation distance associated with the first input waveguideand the second input waveguide is based on a dimension of thebirefringent crystal.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the PIC isfurther configured to: transmit an output signal via an outputwaveguide, and wherein the at least one input signal is associated witha reflection of the output signal from an object located within afield-of-view (FOV) of the electro-optical system.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the PIC is further configured to: receive polarizedportions of additional input signals, via corresponding inputwaveguides, and wherein the polarized portions of the additional inputsignals are associated with at least one reflection of the output signalfrom a different object located within the FOV of the electro-opticalsystem.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the dimension of thebirefringent crystal corresponds to a length of the birefringent crystalthat is approximately greater than 100 μm and less than 2 mm.
 5. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the separation distance associated with thefirst input waveguide and the second input waveguide varies between afew μm and 200 μm.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein the PIC is furtherconfigured to: generate a first reference signal based on the outputsignal; and generate a first optical beat signal based on interferingthe first polarized portion of the at least one input signal with thefirst reference signal.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the PICcomprises a first multi-mode interference (MMI) device.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the first MMI device is a 2×2 MMI device, and whereinthe first MMI device is configured to generate the first optical beatsignal.
 9. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a laser configuredto generate the output signal; and a first pair of light sensorsconfigured to receive at least the first optical beat signal.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the first pair of light sensors areconfigured to respectively convert the first optical beat signal into afirst electrical beat signal.